Castro looks to return Saturday

MESA, Ariz. -- Starlin Castro hasn't played since March 2, but he sounded even more optimistic than Chicago Cubs manager Rick Renteria did about the possibility of returning to play soon.

"We'll wait and see (Saturday)," Castro said after fielding grounders and taking batting practice Friday morning under the watch of Renteria. "I think tomorrow I’ll probably go to the minor leagues. I'll take four to five at-bats, hitting every inning.

“Let’s see tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow. I don’t know for sure, but maybe tomorrow. We’ll take a couple at-bats over there.’’

Renteria said early that he hasn't raised the possibility of starting the regular season without his starting shortstop.

“Not even a consideration at this point," Renteria said. "He's doing well."

Castro hasn't played since suffering a right hamstring strain while attempting a stolen base. The Cubs initially said that Castro could miss from seven to 10 days, but the March 31 season opener is approaching, and Castro has yet to play a game.

If Castro's leg and stamina doesn't respond quickly enough to the Cubs' liking, they could put him on the 15-day disabled list and backdate the placement as far back as nine days prior to the start of the season so that he could be eligible by April 6.

Castro, however, seemed confident that he could be ready by the March 31 opener at Pittsburgh with the aid of extra at-bats in minor league games.

“I don’t feel anything," Castro said. "I feel like I’m taking normal ground balls and not stopping. I don’t feel anything, any tightness. Let’s see tomorrow or the next day how I feel doing baseball activity.’’

Renteria realizes that 2014 is targeted as a rebound year for Castro, who batted only .245 last season.

“He hated this setback this spring," Renteria said. "He wants to show everyone and have a comeback-type season. But he looks like he wants to get back on the field, so we’re looking forward to it.’’

Versatile Emilo Bonifacio, who could bat leadoff if Castro isn't ready by the regular season opener at Pittsburgh, will bat at the top of the order and play second base Friday against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch.

“I think he brings a dynamic potentially for many different things," Renteria said. "The ability to have the flexibility to play so many positions. We have the club we have and we’ll see how it starts to develop and how it all fits in the long run.

As expected, pitcher Jake Arrieta is throwing a simulated game Friday morning with the hope he can pitch in games by next week.